Shock absorber assembly and portable computer utilizing the same

ABSTRACT

A portable computer and a shock absorber assembly thereof. The portable computer includes a body, a hard disc drive, a supporting member, an isolator, a vibration absorber, and a damper. The hard disc drive is disposed in the body. The supporting member is disposed on the hard disc drive. The isolator is disposed on the supporting member. The vibration absorber is disposed on the hard disc drive. The damper is disposed on the vibration absorber. Thus, the hard disc drive is connected to the body via the isolator, and connected to the vibration absorber via the damper. As a result, the vibration of the hard disc drive can be reduced.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a portable computer, and in particular, to aportable computer with a shock absorber assembly that can improveshockproof effect thereof.

Conventional portable computers often comprise a hard disc drive (HDD)and CD-ROM (or DVD-ROM) disposed therein via cushioning foam.

The cushioning foam cannot, however, absorb large vibrations generatedby the drive rotation with high-speed. Thus, the vibration may transmitto an operating display, affecting operations of users.

Moreover, the cushioning foam cannot absorb larger shocks immediatelyfrom external sources during portable computers received a dash. Thus,the HDD and CD-ROM (or DVD-ROM) may malfunction or suffer damage.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention provides a portable computercomprising a body, a module, a supporting member, an isolator, avibration absorber, and a damper. The module is disposed in the body.The supporting member is disposed on the module. The isolator isdisposed on the supporting member. The vibration absorber is disposed onthe module. The damper is disposed on the vibration absorber. The moduleis connected to the body via the isolator, and connected to thevibration absorber via the damper.

Furthermore, the portable computer comprises a first fixed member. Thefirst fixed member passes through the isolator to fix the module to thebody.

The first fixed member may be a screw, and the body comprises a firstscrew hole. The isolator comprises a first through hole corresponding tothe first screw hole. The first screw passes through the first throughhole, and then enters into the first screw hole.

The portable computer further comprises a second fixed member. Thesecond fixed member passes through the damper to fix the vibrationabsorber to the supporting member.

The second fixed member may be a screw, and the supporting membercomprises a second screw hole. The damper comprises a second throughhole corresponding to the second screw hole. The second screw passesthrough the first through hole, and then enters into the second screwhole.

Note that hardness of the isolator is less than that of the damper.

Moreover, the supporting member comprises a first notch to receive theisolator. The first notch is C-shaped to prevent the isolator separatingfrom the first notch. The isolator comprises a first groove combinedwith the first notch.

Similarly, the vibration absorber may comprise a second notch to receivethe damper. The damper comprises a second groove combined with thesecond notch.

Another portable computer is also provided, comprising a body having afirst module, a second module, a supporting member, an isolator, and adamper. The isolator is disposed in the second module. The supportingmember is disposed on the second module. The damper is disposed in thefirst module. The second module is connected to the body via theisolator, and is connected to the first module via the damper.

A shock absorber assembly for an electronic apparatus is also provided.The electronic apparatus comprises a body and a module disposed in thebody. The shock absorber assembly comprises a supporting member, anisolator, a vibration absorber, and a damper. The supporting member isdisposed on the module. The isolator is disposed on the supportingmember. The vibration absorber is disposed on the module. The damper isdisposed on the vibration absorber. The module is connected to the bodyvia the isolator, and is connected to the vibration absorber via thedamper. The vibration absorber may be a frame or a device in theportable computer, such as a battery frame for supporting batteries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequentdetailed description and examples with references made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 a is an exploded view of a portable computer as disclosed in afirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1 b is another exploded view of the portable computer in FIG. 1 a,wherein a frame and a module are assembled;

FIG. 1 c is a schematic view of the assembled portable computer in FIG.1 a;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic view of a combination of the module, asupporting member, and an isolator in FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 b is a schematic view of a combination of the frame and a damperin FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 3 a is a schematic view of a mathematical mode of a conventionalportable computer;

FIGS. 3 b and 3 c are schematic views of a mathematical mode of theportable computer in FIG. 1 a; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portable computer as disclosed in asecond embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 a-1 c are schematic views of a portable computer 100 asdisclosed in a first embodiment of the invention. The portable computer100 comprises a body 10, a module 20, two supporting members 30, fourisolators 40, a frame 50, four dampers 60, four first fixed members 70,and four second fixed members 80. The supporting members 30, theisolators 40, the frame 50, the dampers 60, the first fixed member 70,and the second fixed members 80 constitute a shock absorber assembly ofan embodiment of the invention.

The body 10 is a basic component of the portable computer 100, andcomprises a receiving portion 11 with four first screw holes 12 therein.Additionally, the body 10 comprises other devices required by theportable computer 100. Such devices are not directly related to thisinvention, and detailed description thereof is thus omitted.

The module 20 is disposed in the body 10. Specifically, the module 20 isconnected to the body 10 via the isolators 40 to enhance shockabsorption thereof. Furthermore, it is understood that the module 20 maybe a hard disc drive, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM that generates vibration andrequires isolation from the exterior.

Each supporting member 30 supports the module 20, and is disposedthereon. Each supporting member 30 may be shaped like a support toreceive the isolators 40. Additionally, each supporting member 30 isformed with two screw holes 31 and two notches 32. Each notch 32 isC-shaped to prevent the isolator 40 from separation therefrom.Furthermore, each supporting member 30 comprises two posts 33corresponding to holes (not shown) at the bottom of the module 20. Eachsupporting member 30 is fixed to the module 20 by the posts 33 in theholes of the module 20.

Each isolator 40 reduces vibration of the portable computer 100, andcomprises a through hole 41 at its center and a groove 42 at itsperiphery. Each isolator 40 is disposed on the supporting member 30 bythe notch 32 combining with the groove 42. Furthermore, each isolator 40is material with low coefficient of elasticity (K), such as silica gel.Thus, when the computer receives an external shock, the isolators 40effectively isolate the shock, preventing the computer from damage.Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1 a, each isolator 40 may be a hollowcylindrical pad with minimized thickness to reduce the coefficient ofelasticity. That is, the thickness in the radial direction of thecylindrical isolator 40 is minimized preferably.

The frame 50 absorbs vibration from the portable computer 100, and isdisposed on the module 20. The frame 50 comprises two notches 51 on bothsides. Each notch 51 is C-shaped to prevent the damper 60 fromseparating from the notch 51. It is understood that the frame 50 may bepreferably made of metal with high mass, such that most vibration energyof the module is concentrated on the frame 50.

Each damper 60 reduces vibration from the portable computer 100, andcomprises a through hole 61 at its center and a groove 62 at itsperiphery. Each damper 60 is disposed on the frame 50 by the notch 51combining with the groove 62. Furthermore, each damper 60 is materialwith high coefficient of damping (C), such as silica gel. Thus, thevibration of the module 20 is transmitted to the frame 50 via thedampers 60. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1 a, each damper 60 may be ahollow cylindrical pad with a maximized thickness to enhance damping.

Note that hardness of the isolator 40 is preferably less than that ofthe damper 60.

As shown in FIG. 1 a, each first fixed member 70 may be a screw enteringinto the screw hole 13 of the body 10 via the through hole 41 of theisolator 40. Thus, each first fixed member 70 passes through theisolator 40 to fix the module 20 in the body 10.

As shown in FIG. 1 a, each second fixed member 80 may be a screwentering into the screw hole 31 of the supporting member 30 via thethrough hole 61 of the damper 60. Thus, each second fixed member 80passes through the damper 60 to fix the frame 50 in the supportingmember 30.

During assembly of the portable computer 100, the dampers 60 aredisposed on the frame 50 as shown in FIG. 2 b. Then, the second fixedmembers 80 fix the frame 50 in combination with the dampers 60 to thesupporting members 30. The supporting members 30 are then combined withthe module 20 and the isolators 40, as shown in FIG. 1 b. Finally, thefirst fixed members 70 fix the module 20 in combination with the frame50 to the body 10, as shown in FIG. 1 c.

FIG. 3 a is a schematic view of a mathematical mode of a conventionalportable computer 200 comprising a body 210, a module 220, andcushioning foam 230. The module 220 is disposed on the body 210 via thecushioning foam 230, whereby vibration between the module 220 and thebody 210 is isolated by the damping 230 c and the elasticity 230 k ofthe vibration absorption foam 230. Thus, isolation is limited. FIGS. 3 band 3 c are schematic views of a mathematical mode of a portablecomputer 100 as disclosed in embodiments of the invention. The module 20is connected to the body 10 via the isolators 40, and to the frame 50via the dampers 60. When external shock occurs, vibration between themodule 20 and the body 10 is isolated by the damping 40 c and theelasticity 40 k of the isolators 40 as shown in FIG. 3 b. Thus, theshock can be isolated effectively by the isolators 40 to prevent themodule 20 from damages. Furthermore, when the module 20 generatesvibration during high-speed rotation, the vibration can be transmittedto the frame 50 via the damping 60 c and the elasticity 60 k of thedampers 60 to reduce the vibration of the module 20. That is, since mostof the vibration energy of the module 20 is concentrated on the frame 50so as to reduce the vibration of the module 20. Thus, the module 20 canbe stably operated. Moreover, since the module 20 is connected to thebody 10 via the isolators 40, the module 20 is not directly in contactwith the body 10 no matter what position of the portable computer 100is. Thus, the shock absorber assembly can be kept normal while themodule can be stably operated so that the resonance and noise of theportable computer can be improved.

It is understood that, while the shock absorber assembly is heredescribed in application to a portable computer, it is not limitedthereto, and may be applied to other electronic apparatuses.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a portable computer 100 a as disclosed ina second embodiment of the invention. The portable computer 100 acomprises a body 10 a having a first module 11 a, a second module 20,two supporting members 30, four isolators 40, four dampers 60, fourfirst fixed members 70, and four second fixed members 80. In thisembodiment, elements the same as those of the first embodiment arelabeled with the same references, and their description is omitted.

The body 10 a comprises the first module 11 a minimally affected byvibration in the portable computer 100 a, such as a battery frame forsupporting batteries 112 a. The first module 11 a comprises four notches111 a. The second module 20 is connected to the body 10 a via theisolator 40, and is connected to the first module 11 a via the damper60.

The second module 20 may be a hard disc drive, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM thatgenerates vibration and requires isolation from the exterior.

The module inherent in the portable computer replaces the frame of thefirst embodiment here. Thus, in this embodiment, the number, therequired space, and the weight of the elements are reduced while thefunction of the first embodiment can be attained.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofpreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to thoseskilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims shouldbe accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and similar arrangements.

1. A portable computer comprising: a body; a module disposed in thebody; a supporting member disposed on the module; an isolator disposedon the supporting member; a vibration absorber disposed on the module;and a damper disposed on the vibration absorber, wherein the module isconnected to the body via the isolator, and connected to the vibrationabsorber via the damper.
 2. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a first fixed member passing through the isolator tofix the module to the body.
 3. The portable computer as claimed in claim2, wherein first fixed member is a screw and the body comprises a screwhole, the isolator comprises a through hole corresponding to the screwhole, and the screw enters into the screw hole via the through hole. 4.The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a secondfixed member passing through the damper to fix the vibration absorber tothe supporting member.
 5. The portable computer as claimed in claim 4,wherein the first fixed member is a screw and the supporting membercomprises a screw hole, the damper comprises a through holecorresponding to the screw hole, and the screw enters into the screwhole via the through hole.
 6. The portable computer as claimed in claim1, wherein hardness of the isolator is less than that of the damper. 7.The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supportingmember comprises a notch receiving the isolator.
 8. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the isolator comprises a groovecombined with the notch.
 9. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1,wherein the vibration absorber comprises a notch receiving the damper.10. The portable computer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dampercomprises a groove combined with the notch.
 11. A portable computercomprising: a body comprising a first module; a second module disposedin the body; a supporting member disposed on the second module; anisolator disposed on the supporting member; and a damper disposed on thefirst module, wherein the second module is connected to the body via theisolator, and connected to the first module via the damper.
 12. Theportable computer as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a fixedmember passing through the isolator to fix the second module to thebody.
 13. The portable computer as claimed in claim 12, wherein thefixed member is a screw.
 14. The portable computer as claimed in claim12, wherein the body comprises a screw hole, the isolator comprises athrough hole corresponding to the screw hole, and the fixed memberenters into the screw hole via the through hole.
 15. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 11, wherein hardness of the isolator isless than that of the damper.
 16. The portable computer as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the supporting member comprises a notch receiving theisolator.
 17. The portable computer as claimed in claim 16, wherein theisolator comprises a groove combined with the notch.
 18. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 16, wherein the notch is C-shaped toprevent the isolator from separating from the notch.
 19. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first module comprises anotch receiving the damper.
 20. The portable computer as claimed inclaim 18, wherein the damper comprises a groove combined with the notch.21. A shock absorber assembly for an electronic apparatus with a bodyand a module disposed in the body, comprising: a supporting memberdisposed on the module; an isolator disposed on the supporting member; avibration absorber disposed on the module; and a damper disposed on thevibration absorber, wherein the module is connected to the body via theisolator, and connected to the vibration absorber via the damper. 22.The shock absorber assembly as claimed in claim 21, further comprising ascrew passing through the isolator to fix the module to the body. 23.The shock absorber assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the isolatorcomprises a through hole, and the screw enters into the body via thethrough hole.
 24. The shock absorber assembly as claimed in claim 21,further comprising a screw passing through the damper to fix thevibration absorber to the supporting member.
 25. The shock absorberassembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein the supporting member comprisesa screw hole, the damper comprises a through hole corresponding to thescrew hole, and the screw enters into the screw hole via the throughhole.
 26. The shock absorber assembly as claimed in claim 21, whereinhardness of the isolator is less than that of the damper.
 27. The shockabsorber assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the supporting membercomprises a notch receiving the isolator.
 28. The shock absorberassembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein the isolator comprises a groovecombined with the notch.
 29. The shock absorber assembly as claimed inclaim 21, wherein the vibration absorber comprises a notch receiving thedamper.
 30. The shock absorber assembly as claimed in claim 29, whereinthe damper comprises a groove combined with the notch.